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Education/FAQ Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Breast Imaging and Treatment Terms
All
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Cyst |
A membrane-bound fluid collection. These are non-cancerous. Sometimes a cyst can be complicated by additional features, which may require aspiration (drawing out fluid with a needle) for diagnosis. |
| Ductogram |
A procedure for imaging the breast ducts. A Radiologist injects contrast into a specific duct using a very fine probe. After the injection of contrast, a mammogram is taken. This is done to evaluate certain kinds of discharge. |
| Ducts |
Small tubes in the breast that carry milk from the lobules to the nipple during breastfeeding. |
| Estrogen |
A hormone produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands, and other tissues. It is responsible for the development of female sex characteristics and it is important in menstruation and fertility. Estrogen may also stimulate the growth of some breast cancers (those that have estrogen receptors). |
| Estrogen receptor |
A cell surface molecule that uses estrogen to stimulate the cell. |
| Excisional biopsy |
An operation done by a surgeon to remove an entire growth or lump. |
| Fibroadenoma |
A non-cancerous growth containing normal glands and fibrous tissue in the breast. |
| HER2/neu |
Protein receptor on the surface of some breast cancer cells. |
| Histology |
Refers to the microscopic features of cells and tissues. |
| Hormonal treatment |
A way of treating estrogen receptor- positive breast cancer through the use of drugs that either block the effect of estrogen or decrease estrogen levels in the body. It is the opposite of hormone replacement therapy. |
| Hormone replacement therapy |
Treatment that provides estrogen to women to help ease the symptoms of menopause. |
| Hyperplasia |
An increase in the number of normal cells in a tissue or organ. Atypical hyperplasia is an increase in hyperactive, abnormal cells in a tissue or organ. |
| In-situ breast cancer |
See “non invasive breast cancer”. |
| Invasive breast cancer |
Cancer that penetrates the duct or lobule where it originates and invades the surrounding breast tissue. Some types of Invasive breast cancer: • Infiltrating ductal carcinoma (IDC) • Infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC) • Tubular carcinoma • Mucinous carcinoma • Medullary carcinoma • Inflammatory breast cancer • Papillary carcinoma |
| Lobule |
A small sac in the breast that is lined by the gland cells that make breast milk during breastfeeding. |
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